Contract Law

Which promises are legally binding, and which are not? What happens if you break a promise? In what circumstances can you escape from your promise? These are the fundamental questions of contract law.

Contract law is important because of the extent to which it governs our lives: when we are shopping in the supermarket, or renting a house, or employed at work, or booking a holiday - most of our transactions, whether routine or exceptional, are contractual. This module will provide an introduction to the major principles of English contract law.

The module is divided into two halves. The first half is about making and breaking a contract. Here we look at the ingredients necessary to create a binding contract: offer, acceptance, certainty of terms, intention to be bound, and consideration. We also discuss the terms of the contract, and how to control unfair terms, and what remedies are available for breach of contract. The second half is concerned with the vitiating factors, that is, those circumstances which allow one of the parties to escape their contractual obligations: misrepresentation, mistake, frustration, duress, undue influence, unconscionable bargain, and illegality. We also consider restitution, that is, what happens after a contract is set aside.

Module at a Glance

Module Title	Contract Law
Module Code	ISS1101
Module Convenor	Dr Charlie King
Credit Value	7.5 ECTS
Scheduled Teaching	24 x 2 Hour Sessions
Total Module Hours	150 Hours
Guided Independent Study	Pre-Reading Before Arrival Preparatory readings for lectures and seminars
Formative Assessment	Topic workshops – Oral feedback from lecturer and peers Practice exam question (1125 words) – Oral and written feedback from lecturer
Summative Assessment	Take Home Assessment – 2250 Words – 100% of credit – written feedback
Sample Pre Reading	Contract Law: McKendrick (London: Palgrave, latest edition)
Sample Lecture Sessions	Terms of Contracts Breach of Contract Misrepresentation Duress and Undue Influence

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"Studying Contract Law at the University of Exeter gave me a unique insight into development of contract law. The course provided me with a deeper level of understanding of the content, while still being taught at an appropriate standard for those who did not have a prior understanding of the law. Being able to study with such experienced Professors made learning the content simple, interesting and enjoyable."

Laura, Griffith University, Australia

Introduction to International Summer School Contract Law

Find out more about the Contract Law course by hearing from Charlie King, the module convenor for the programme.